Sharon Osbourne made a touching gesture to the crowds gathered to mourn Ozzy Osbourne, and it was synonymous with her late husband.
The Black Sabbath frontman, who passed away on July 22 at the age of 76, was remembered in a tribute as powerful as the music legacy he leaves behind.
Leading the procession was his wife, Sharon, who made a deeply personal and symbolic gesture to the mourning crowd.
Dressed in black, Sharon, 72, was visibly emotional throughout the procession. At one point, she embraced Birmingham’s Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal while standing among a sea of floral tributes.
Each family member carried a pink flower wrapped in black paper, which they added to the growing memorial at the bench. The moment reflected the city’s immense love for Ozzy — not just as a rock icon, but as a hometown hero.
As the family stood before the iconic Black Sabbath bench — a key landmark in the band’s hometown history — Sharon, joined by children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, raised a peace sign to fans.
The simple gesture, synonymous with Ozzy’s image, struck an emotional chord with many in attendance.
One fan explained on Facebook: "Just an observation from a guy who has been a Sabbath/Ozzy fan since the 70s. Some will say I am nit picking and not respecting how others view things. But I am seeing a lot of posts and pictures of billboards with images of the devil horns hand sign.
"Now I know that sign has become the ‘official’ sign of rock and roll, but Ozzy's gesture has always been the double peace sign. It was Dio that did the horns and made them popular with rock and roll long after Ozzy had been doing the double peace signs. Let’s all please remember just another one of the things that Ozzy brought us!’”
Fans lined the streets, many shouting his name and tossing roses toward the hearse, which was adorned with purple flowers spelling out “Ozzy.”
The route passed major landmarks tied to the Black Sabbath legacy, including the Black Sabbath bridge and mural. Music from local brass band Bostin Brass filled the air as they played some of the band’s most iconic tracks.
“Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham,” said Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal, per LBC.
“Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral.
“We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.”